Amid COVID-19 Pandemic Research Articles

Feasibility of Online Classes for Microbiology Courses: Lessons learned amid COVID-19 Pandemic

Universities and colleges worldwide have been closed following the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), and online learning has become an educational practice at once. Previous research showed many problems, including time management difficulties, technological devices, communication, engagement and assessment of students for both educators and students in online education. This research was formulated to understand whether online microbiology courses from different Saudi Universities are appropriate. It was a nationwide cross-sectional study among educators from multiple Saudi Arabian Universities during the whole month of June 2020. We distributed the survey link electronically through messages on the phone. A total of 134 Saudis participated in the study, and the majority of the respondents, i.e., 106 (79.10%) are between 36 to 55 years old, 17 (12.69%) are 56 years and above. A total of 65 (48.51%) respondents responded that shifting from in-classroom to online setup has impacted the teaching-learning process negatively, while 43 (32.09%) responded with a positive impact. The majority of the respondents (82%) disagreed that practical learning outcomes such as laboratory-based microbiology courses can be achieved online at the same level as regular-campus classes.Furthermore, more than half of the participants think that students' dishonesty or violation of academic integrity threatens institutions from offering online courses. Technology tools have brought a positive impact on the effectiveness of online microbiology education. This study illustrated that the shift to online microbiology classes has a positive impact on attention to academic integrity. However, in-person labs are still considered the optimal lab design. While pandemics have historically generated difficulties, recognizing these difficulties is the first step in turning them into possibilities.

Prevalence and Predictors of Cyberchondria and Depression Amid COVID-19 Pandemic in Adult Population of Uttar Pradesh, India

Background and Aim: COVID-19 pandemic and related measures of containment such as lockdown led to heavy reliance on Internet for education and leisure activities. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and predictors of cyberchondria and depression amid COVID-19 pandemic among adult population of Uttar Pradesh, India. Materials and Methods: A web-based study was conducted among 236 adult participants of Uttar Pradesh during August–November 2021. Standardized tools including Cyberchondria Severity Scale-short version (CSS-SV) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 were used for eliciting details about cyberchondria and depression. Results: The study highlighted that the cyberchondria cluster comprised 45.3% of participants. Subscale score distribution of CSS-SV was found to be the highest (7.53 ± 2.98) for excessiveness and the lowest (6.40 ± 2.93) for compulsion subscale. Furthermore, majority (56.4%) of the participants had depression in various severities. Multivariate logistic regression analysis predicted factors such as female gender, health-care worker, and duration of watching TV and smartphone usage to be influencing cyberchondria. Strong influence of duration spent (>6 h/day) in watching TV, etc., was found on depression. Conclusion: Cyberchondria and its association with depression are indeed growing health concerns; efforts should be directed toward controlled Internet usage, which involves adhering to credible sources for authentic health-related information.

THE USE OF COMPUTER-BASED INSTRUCTION TO IMPROVE THE LEARNERS MATHEMATICS PERFORMANCE

The main purpose of the study was to determine the significant effect in the use of Computer Based Instruction to the mathematical performance of the Grade Three learners of Lewin Elementary school, S.Y 2021 ? 2022. Specifically, it sought to respond the following: (1) the respondents level of perception on the use of computer base-instruction in terms of; teachers pre-recorded video lessons, online tutorial videos, PowerPoint presentation; (2) the mean percentage score of the learner?s mathematics performance in terms of pretest and posttest; (3) if there is a significant difference between the control and experimental group?s mathematics performance in posttest; (4) if there is a significant effect the use of Computer Based Instruction to the mathematical performance of the Grade Three learners of Lewin Elementary School. Based on the data gathered, the learners perceived that the use of computer-based instruction was very effective. The level of controlled and experimental group?s mathematics performance in pretest was below average while the posttest of the controlled group is average, and the experimental group is very good. The test of difference between the pre-test and post-test of the experimental group resulted to rejecting the null hypothesis which implies that there is a significant difference on the performance of students. Moreover, it showed how the use of computer-based instruction affect the experimental group mathematics performance in terms of teachers pre-recorded videos but does not significantly affect in terms of online tutorial videos and powerpoint presentations. These resulted to partially rejecting the null hypothesis. It can also be concluded that the use of computer-based instruction was significant effect on learners? mathematics performance. The researcher highly suggests that he use of Teacher?s pre-recorded video lesson and online tutorial videos can help to reach out the learners amid COVID-19 pandemic. It must be included on their School Improvement Plan on the learner?s development. Classroom teachers may also sustain the usage of the computer-based instruction in teaching mathematics. The teachers may devote more efforts to learn and apply new and different use of educational technology that can be useful to keep classroom well managed and conducive for teaching-learning.

Harnessing Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) on Information System to Safeguard Accelerated Data Collecting and Processing Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

COVID-19 has penetrated every aspect of human civilization. BPS-Statistics Indonesia, a government institute responsible for conducting statistical surveys across the country, also faces challenges in the aftermath. COVID-19 forces social distancing, preventing data collectors from meeting the respondents in person and collecting data offline. The data collecting that uses printed questionnaires and the centralized data processing in BPS Headquarters Office causes delays in the whole process. The issue needs to be resolved using a reliable system that can fasten the entire procedure without printed questionnaires, decreasing person-to-person contact and decentralizing the data processing to users' ends. This research proposes and evaluates SIDUBES, an information system BPS-Statistics of Bengkulu Province, to collect data on large and medium manufacturing surveys by harnessing the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). The model evaluates users' perception of Perceived Usability (P.U.), Perceived Helpfulness (P.H.), Perceived Assurance (P.A.), Viewpoint of Using (V.U.), and Continuity Intention (CI) in measuring the acceptance level. The results show that SIDUBES have met most of the users' requirements; V.U. and P.H. have a positive effect on CI; P.U. has a positive impact on P.A., and; P.A. has a positive effect on P.H.

Strengthening the Rule of Law and Good Governance amid COVID-19 Pandemic in the Global South

Disproportionate curtailment measures against the COVID-19 pandemic alongside compulsory vaccination (in the midst of rumours and conspiracy theories) have contributed to vaccination hesitancy, data and surveillance monitoring without due regard to civil and political rights. The absence of due regard to these rights by governments, undermine the observance of rule of law and good governance. Consequently, there have been sweeping implications on public order and security, disruption of electoral process and the right to dignity through torture and unlawful use of force. Socio-economic rights violations, relaxation of public procurement mechanisms, lack of capacity to deliver essential services, disinformation, perversion of justice, and gender-based violence have also overwhelmed the entire global health care system. The paper assesses curtailment measures against COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on rule of law and good governance in the Global South towards a better COVID-19 stimulus and recovery packages. It adopts doctrinal research method by relying on relevant statutes, international instruments, judicial decisions and literature. It finds that the discriminatory, inequitable curtailment measures and insufficient governmental social protections and economic supports, constitute “multiplier threat” that produces structural violence against vulnerable, marginalised communities and foreign nationals. The pandemic has created scientific uncertainty that necessitates global solidarity and scientific precautionary measures through digital and telemedicine leading to important health management. The paper calls for international democracy support for electoral reforms and United Nations oversight mechanisms for rule of law and good governance to promote transparency and accountability in the management of COVID-19 pandemic.

Interdisciplinary Approach to Reducing Healthcare Associated Infections Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has challenged acute-care hospitals (ACH) in numerous ways including increases in healthcare associated infections (HAI). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2020 Annual National and State HAI Progress Report denotes a 24% increase in central line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) between 2019 and 2020 with a 50% increase in the intensive care units (ICU) and minimal change in catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI).MethodsAn interdisciplinary Healthcare Acquired Conditions (IHAC) team was implemented in a mid-size community hospital in Wisconsin to focus on the increase of HAI's during the pandemic. The IHAC team began meeting in November 2020 to discuss HAI events in real time and identify opportunities for improvement. The IHAC team was co-led by Nursing and Quality with standing membership including Infection Prevention, Risk, Safety, and Site Leadership. After HAI identification, IP communicates HAI event to the attribution unit. The unit reviews the medical record to complete a standardized tool and shares findings at the IHAC meeting. During the IHAC review, the team identifies improvement opportunities and assigns accountability with site leadership support.ResultsSince the IHAC team was established, there was an ongoing decline in HAIs. The following events were reported from January to December 2020: five (5) ICU CLABSI with a standardized infection ratio (SIR) 2.770 and two (2) non-ICU CLABSI SIR 0.667; two (2) ICU CAUTI SIR 1.002 and eight (8) non-ICU CAUTI SIR 1.864. After implementation of the IHAC team, there was a decrease in CAUTI and CLABSI events in January to September 2021: one (1) ICU CLABSI SIR 0.609 and one (1) non-ICU CLABSI SIR 0.318; one (1) ICU CAUTI SIR 0.573 and two (2) non-ICU CAUTI SIR 0.455.ConclusionsHAI reduction is achievable with an interdisciplinary approach discussing and identifying opportunities for improvement with the support of senior leadership.

Amid COVID-19 Pandemic, Entrepreneurial Resilience and Creative Performance with the Mediating Role of Institutional Orientation: A Quantitative Investigation Using Structural Equation Modeling

As a result of the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), thousands of small companies around the world have been severely disrupted. Many business professionals, particularly entrepreneurs, suffer from the unprecedented magnitude of the lockdown of social activities, which is combined with limits on individual mobility. This study investigates the resilience of entrepreneurs—which is characterized by hardiness, resourcefulness, and optimism—as well as the relationship between resilience and creative performance. Additionally, the mediating role of institutional orientation is investigated in order to highlight how contextual factors influence this relationship. Using a quantitative study approach and structural equation modeling data analysis technique, 390 entrepreneurs were investigated, and the analyzed data demonstrate that entrepreneurs’ ability to persevere in the face of adversity is strongly related to their ability to innovate, with institutional orientation serving as a partial mediating variable. Implications and future research opportunities are also explored in the paper.

Analysis of Preschool Curricula Amid Covid-19 Pandemic and Post-Pandemic Period

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the Covid-19 Pandemic on the implementation of the preschool curriculum from the perspective of teachers. The study, which was designed on a qualitative basis, was carried out with 31 preschool teachers determined with the purposeful sampling method. The data were collected via the interview form applied to the teachers who constituted the aforementioned study group. For the analysis of the data, content analysis was applied. For the analyses, the teachers’ views were gathered under certain headings and coded. In the coding made by using the frequency technique, which is the complement of the qualitative data, the coding technique was used in accordance with the concepts obtained from the data. By combining these codes, certain themes were created. Next, the themes were described and interpreted with tables for easy understanding and explanation in line with the purpose of the study, and conclusions were drawn accordingly. On the other hand, it was thought that in the study, the technological addiction in question might be caused by the unconscious and misuse of these technologies rather than by the educational technologies used extensively during the pandemic process. The teachers constituting the study group predicted that human dimensions such as psychological and personality dimensions, self-care skills, and behavioral problems would come to the fore in relation to the pre-school curriculum in the post-pandemic period.

Learning Online amid COVID-19 pandemic: Exploring students' lived experiences

This paper explores the lived experiences of online learning by 2020 first year students in institutions of higher education in South Africa, students with no prior experience of online learning before COVID-19. Using a qualitative approach, a sample of 50 students was interviewed. Findings indicate that students’ online experiences were impacted upon by various factors which resulted in both positive and negative experiences. Factors that impacted learners’ online experiences include those linked both directly and indirectly to technology and learning online. Such factors include online preparedness, lecturer support, student-to-student engagement, flexible learning pathways, connectivity, learning technologies, digital literacy and self-management skills. Generally, students who received proper induction and support from their lecturers and institutions experienced online learning in a positive manner. Some institutions were not prepared for online learning and offered less support to students which affected students’ experiences of online learning. The paper thus argues that there is need for institutions to invest in online learning technologies, for Government to address issues of digital literacy and readiness and ensure that the right infrastructure is available. With the fourth industrial revolution having been fast-tracked by COVID-19, it is prudent to ensure that learners are technologically savvy.

An overview for biomedical waste management during pandemic like COVID-19.

Amid COVID-19, world has gone under environmental reformation in terms of clean rivers and blue skies, whereas, generation of biomedical waste management has emerged as a big threat for the whole world, especially in the developing nations. Appropriate biomedical waste management has become a prime concern worldwide in the pandemic era of COVID-19 as it may affect environment and living organisms up to a great extent. The problem has been increased many folds because of unexpected generations of hazardous biomedical waste which needs extraordinary attentions. In this paper, the impacts and future challenges of solid waste management especially the biomedical waste management on environment and human beings have been discussed amid COVID-19 pandemic. The paper also recommends some guidelines to manage the bulk of medical wastes for the protection of human health and environment. The paper summarizes better management practices for the wastes including optimizing the decision process, infrastructure, upgrading treatment methods and other activities related with the biological disasters like COVID-19. As achieved in the past for viral disinfection, use of UV- rays with proper precautions can also be explored for COVID-19 disinfection. For biomedical waste management, thermal treatment of waste can be an alternative, as it can generate energy along with reducing waste volume by 80–95%. The Asian Development Bank observed that additional biomedical waste was generated ranged from 154 to 280 tons/day during the peak of COVID-19 pandemic in Asian megacities such as Manila, Jakarta, Wuhan, Bangkok, Hanoi, Kuala Lumpur.

Bringing experimental therapeutics clinical trials network (ETCTN) to underrepresented population.

6542 Background: Access to health care including clinical trials (CT) leading to paradigm-changing cancer treatments are critical for high quality cancer care and equity in society. In this report, we highlight methods in accruing to ETCTN wherein underrepresented rural, low-income, and racial minorities comprise >50% of enrollment. Methods: University of Kansas Cancer Center (KUCC) is one of eight National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated cancer centers awarded CATCH-UP.2020 (CATCH-UP), a congressionally mandated P30 supplement to enhance access for minority/underserved populations to ETCTN precision medicine CT. KUCC catchment area is 23% rural by Rural Urban Continuum Codes (RUCC); almost 90 % of counties are designated primary care HPSA’s (Health Professional Shortage Areas). KUCC Early Phase and Masonic Cancer Alliance (rural outreach network) partnered to operationalize CATCH-UP. We engaged disease-focused champion investigators in disease working groups and MCA physicians who selected scientifically sound CT that fit catchment area needs. Patient and Investigator Voices Organizing Together, a patient research advocacy group provided practical feedback. MCA navigator coordinated recruitment. Telehealth was used for rural patients that would have a significant distance to travel just to be screened. Results: CATCH-UP was initiated in September 2020. Twenty-eight CT were activated, many in community sites. Average activation time was 81 days. Delays were mainly from CT amendments. KUCC enrolled the first patient in the CATCH-UP program. In 6 months, we met accrual requirements (24/year, 50% minorities). During first year, we enrolled 47 (>50% minorities), an increase of 680% from our average accrual of 6/year (>50% minorities) in ETCTN through Early Drug Development Opportunity Program (2016-2020). To date, we have enrolled 61, 54% from rural, HPSA, race and other minorities. Although the proportion of minorities did not change but remained high, this funding allowed us to substantially increase the number of patients from a catchment area with high proportion of geographically and socioeconomically underserved minorities given access to early phase CT through ETCTN. Conclusions: Amid COVID-19 pandemic, the NCI CATCH-UP program and methods we used allowed access to novel therapies for rural, medically underserved, and other minority groups. Funded by NIH: 3P30CA168524-09S2.

Applying Microsoft Office 365 in learning Islamic Education (PAI) amid Covid-19 Pandemic

Distance learning is the right choice during Covid 19 pandemic. Because of this reason, an appropriate application is needed to support the distance learning process. The purpose of this study was to describe the use of Microsoft Office 365 as an instructional media in learning PAI virtually. This was a case study research which used observation and interview techniques to collect the data. Data were analyzed thematically by reducing, displaying, and concluding data. The result of the study described that Microsoft Office 365 could be used by teachers as an instructional media of online learning during Covid 19 pandemic. The available features could support virtual learning system and optimized the process of distance learning. Therefore, students could learn well during pandemic.

Online Learning amid COVID-19 Pandemic: Providing Assessment that Ensures Meaningful Learning Experience

The paper aims to explore how assessment with principles can be utilized by a teacher during online learning in pandemic situation. Since at the end of year 2019, SARS-CoV-2 virus, also well-known as COVID-19, has affected the global activities including education. Many governments decided to shift the education process from traditional face-to-face classroom to online learning either in synchronous or asynchronous modes. By utilizing systematic review as a method of study, the databases from ERIC, Google Scholar, and DOAJ were used to collect some articles that were related to the studies. These articles were selected through the process of identifying, screening, checking for eligibility, and deciding for inclusion. The findings indicated there are some modes of assessment that not only is it plausible, the varied kinds of assessment would also be a solution for the current real-life educational problems faced by the teachers.

Destination experiencescape: conceptualization and scale development amid COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT Although experiencescape has been gaining increasing scholarly attention, there is still a lack of a comprehensive and multi-dimensional scale that can be used to assess destination experiencescape. In addition, how the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced the key components of experiencescape remains unknown. Adopting both qualitative and quantitative approaches, this study proposes a destination experiencescape conceptualization and then empirically tests the proposed scale paying special attention to the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic brought to the travel industry. Specifically, based on the content mining of online reviews posted by travellers and the coding analysis of in-depth interviews as well as a thorough review of literature, this study identifies five second-order dimensions that are formed by 23 first-order constructs. The proposed scale is validated through several content validity check approaches and two rounds of survey data. The nomological validity of this instrument is conducted by examining its influence on two outcome variables: perceived value and destination loyalty. A simplified scale consisting of 22 questions is also validated for future research to adopt.

Balaton Lake (virtual) projected and perceived destination image amid Covid-19 pandemic.

In days gone by, Balaton Lake predominately attracted domestic tourists, without focusing on the countries which neighbour Hungary and their respective markets. However, as a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic, domestic and regional tourism flows have been stimulated, as travel restrictions resulted in a tendency towards travel to local and neighbouring destinations. In line with these trends, the research investigates the congruence of both Balaton Lake’s projected and perceived (virtual) destination image in the era of Covid-19, with Serbia being considered as a neighbouring and emitting market. The study deployed a sequential exploratory mixed-method approach (qualitative and then quantitative). The study contributes to the existing knowledge by addressing the gap between the visual and textual content of a projected (virtual) destination image and by acknowledging non-visitor perception of destination image in the context of pronounced regional international travel.

Students’ Motivation in English Learning amid Covid-19 Pandemic: A Systemic Functional Linguistics Perspective

The pandemic of covid-19 has had a negative impact on schooling quality around the world. The lack of student enthusiasm to learn using digital platforms is one issue leading to the low quality of education. Several prior types of research have looked into how students perceive their motivation to learn in the face of pandemic covid-19. However, modal analysis to reveal students' motivation through their written personal views on learning during the epidemic of Covid-19 remains a relatively unexplored area. This research aims to expose the students’ motivation to learn during the outbreak of covid-19 using modality theory. 20 English Department students, Faculty of Language and Arts, University of HKBP Nommensen were involved in this research. The students were assigned to write an essay about their experiences and opinions of learning amid the covid-19 outbreak. The essay consists of approximately 250 words. The research was conducted in a mixed method. The results showed that the most modality used in the text is probability 39.82%, afterwards frequency 27.60%, obligation 17.19%, and inclination 15.39%, respectively. A medium level or category dominated each type of modality. Regarding polarity, 159 (71.95%) of modal words were in the positive range, and the rest of the modality 62 (28.05%) were located in the negative range. This demonstrates that students' enthusiasm to learn throughout the pandemic was characterized as medium and highly positive. The findings were relatively different from the previous research on the same topic. Most of the research revealed low student motivation amid the covid-19 pandemic. However, this research showed different results that the EFL students were still motivated to study their lessons amid the covid-19 pandemic. The results bring consequences to the future educational research to consider using linguistic perspectives in the research method, especially the application of Systemic Functional Linguistics to reveal the meanings of the students’ perspectives on certain educational issues.

Positive Humor and Work Withdrawal Behaviors: The Role of Stress Coping Styles in the Hotel Industry Amid COVID-19 Pandemic.

Working in the hospitality industry is stressful due to the intensive workload and extended work hours; this stress has increased after the COVID-19 pandemic due to high levels of job insecurity, downsizing, and laying off procedures. Employees in the hotel industry can deal with stress positively by utilizing task-coping styles or negatively by emotion- and avoidance-coping styles. Building on the transactional theory of stress and coping, and the benign violation theory of humor, the current study explores the relationships between positive humor and work withdrawal behaviors with the mediating effects of coping styles. A total of 407 hotel employees participated, and the obtained data were analyzed by structural equation modeling with partial least squares (PLS). The results asserted that affiliative humor is able to reduce coping with stresses via the negative styles and to increase coping with stresses via the positive style. The results also demonstrated the ability of task-coping in reducing work withdrawal behavior. Significant insights into theoretical and practical implications are further discussed.

Perception of Students Towards Physical Education in An Online Class Setting Amid Covid-19 Pandemic

The purpose of this study is to identify the viewpoint of students taking minor PE in an online class setting, and to examine these viewpoints with respect to gender, family’s accommodation, monthly income of the family, gadgets used in online class and source of internet connection. Sample of the study are students from the three institutes of the college. In order to gather data, a survey questionnaire is applied to all 263 students. Frequency, percentage, t-test, and ANOVA were used to analyze the data depending on the qualities of the variables. The results found out that most of the students highly appreciates the application of online class setting in the midst of pandemic, in order for them to benefit from distance education they should know about the hardware and software of a computer, and the proper use of internet. Based on this result, courses that deals with computer literacy and internet usage in these institutes can be suggested. Most of the students has positive outlook in the application of distance education. However, there are still negative ideas and experiences such as motivational problems, conflict with the parents and reduces attention. They also experience difficulty with communication to their instructors. Based on these results, it is highly suggested that the guidance counselors and instructors should work together in order to address these problems students are currently facing in distance online education.

Suicidal Ideation Amid COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-sectional Study Among Healthcare Workers During the First Wave of COVID-19 in Pakistan.

Suicidal Ideation Amid COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-sectional Study Among Healthcare Workers During the First Wave of COVID-19 in Pakistan.

Teachers' Quality in Learning Process Amid Covid-19 Pandemic: Factors That Explain Professional Educators

The purpose of this study was to determine the quality of teachers in the learning process during the COVID-19 pandemic as a factor that describes professional educators. This study used a cross-sectional design. Participants were taken randomly from one of the private universities in Palembang. The participants were 120 people. Data were taken from questionnaires, teaching documents owned by teachers and also a literature review. The data analysis technique used is the percentage technique and cross-tabulation. The results show that the quality of teachers must have several aspects so that the implementation of teaching and learning during the covid-19 pandemic goes well and can achieve educational goals. As for the quality teaching aspect of the findings of this study, the quality of teachers from the findings of this study must carry out professional development, in-service training, pre-service training, teacher leadership, policies and partnerships, teacher curriculum training, and teaching management, and teacher qualifications. The results of the study have implications for the understanding of teachers to improve personal abilities to fulfil the components of quality teachers.